Hiva: Si’i Lolo Lyrics

I had fun translating this for one of my readers. With a bit of research I found out the meaning and history behind the song. Apparently this was originally composed by Talolakepa Fulivai on behalf of a young Queen Mata’aho, wife of Tupou IV in the 1950’s who captained a champion Netball** team named “Lolo ‘a Halaevalu” (being the nickname for Neiafu, Vava’u) during a tournament in Vava’u against other teams from Vava’u.

CHORUS

Si’i Lolo

Vā’inga loto mokomoko

Fai si’o anga

Ko e malimali katakata

Kuo malo mu’a

Si’omou hela’ na

mo e tou’anga

Si’ono faingata’a

Si’i Lolo [Delightful Vava’u! probably referring to the Teams in the tournament]

playing it cool

as usual your sweet nature

of cool laughing smiles.

thank you dearly for your tiring efforts there

and your earnest work

through the battles faced.

VERSE 1

Funga Veitatalo mo e Hala Kaute

Funga Veingangana mo e Hala Siale

‘Ā’ā pe ‘oua ‘e mohe

Na’a ke tafia ai pea ke mole

Pea ke hanu mo ke faka’ise’isa

Ka kuo ‘osi si’ete fakatokanga

Funga Veitatalo team and the Hala Kaute team

Funga Veingangana team and the Hala Siale team

Stay awake do not tire/ sleep

before you are swept away to your peril

and you complain with regret,

But I have forewarned you.

VERSE 2

Tala hoku ‘ofa ki Lelea

Mo e fu’u Fā ko Fieme’a

Lolo ‘a Halaevalu si’ene tafe

Lanu ai pea ke hake

Pea ke hifo ki he Fanga Leavale

Mo e Heilala ‘o Loto Takaunove.

Tell of my love to Lelea

and to the big Fā tree of Fieme’a

Lolo ‘a Halaevalu team oh how she flows,

colouring the terrain up and

down towards Fanga Leavale

and to the Heilala Royal Estate of Loto Taukaunove.

**Netball otherwise known as “pasiketipolo” is the Tongan version of netball which has 9 a-side instead of 7 a-side.